Automated ticket vending machines to make bookings easy

In the days to come, South Western Railway (SWR), Mysore division, may introduce a few more passenger-friendly amenities, incorporating technology.

Addressing media, outgoing Divisional Railway Manager (DRM) Vinod Kumar said, “A total of 20 Automated Ticket Vending Machines (ATVM), including four in Mysore station, will be installed to ease the queries of service users. Apart from Mysore, such machines will be installed at Davangere, Shimoga, Kadur and Birur stations”.

A slew of other facilities, becoming reality, include Indian Railway Catering and Transport Corporation (IRCTC) food plaza and fast food unit at Hassan, a subway connecting all the platforms in Mysore station, along with two escalators and lifts. Bathroom facility for passengers at Subramanya, in Dakshina Kannada district.

The long-pending demand for an integrated security system is also expected to be implemented with the railway protection force (RPF) personnel.

Recounting his two years and three months tenure, Vinod Kumar said: “It was a phase of transition from service provider to green-friendly measures with the initiation of rainwater harvesting system to address the needs of water”.

Vinod Kumar said, the plans to adopt rainwater harvesting stemmed from the fact that the railways had to face severe water crisis during the last summer, after the water level dipped at KRS dam, the main supplier of water to the city.

Green measures

Taking the help of Ravikumar, who has carved a niche for himself by adopting green-friendly measures.

The division planted 30,000 saplings with 90 per cent survival rate, due to constant monitoring and watering. The rainwater harvesting method is put in use to supply water to officials’ and staff colonies.

Vinod Kumar said, during the current fiscal, the division earned a revenue of Rs 301.63 crore (till November), including Rs 131.42 crore in the passenger segment from 3.71 crore passengers, a growth of 5.66 per cent (density of passengers) compared to the previous fiscal (2012-13).

Rajkumar Lal, who succeeded Vinod Kumar, termed his new innings here as a cultural shift as he comes from a place that is known for amoral reasons, with unabated crimes.